Hiding in plain sight⁉️: Such a shame... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Hiding in plain sight⁉️

Judyteen13 profile image
8 Replies

Such a shame that fibromyalgia doesn't require us to be wearing cats, nice white bright ones for the world to see.... that's how I feel about the doubting Thomas's of the world...because if we see a person in a cast then we all assume they are in pain ,struggling and need help. I even have helped out, by holding open a door, or trying to reach the item that they OBVIOUSLY cat reach for themselves...

Do any of you here feel like me, or am I being totally delusional? It wouldnt be my first delusion, so please feel free to be truthful 🤔 that's my thinking emoji by the way ❣

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Judyteen13
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8 Replies
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

I don't think you are being delusional. That is why fibro and other conditions are called invisible illnesses. People cannot see our symptoms or the severity of them XXX

Carlt profile image
Carlt

My son is autistic.

When we walk together the one hobbling along with the stick, having to stop for a rest every 20 yards or so is the one with the visible disability...and that would be me.

I really wish I could walk down the street "invisible" like he does.

I don't want a t-shirt, I don't want a badge, I don't want to carry a stick. I want to hide the severity of my symptoms.

When I'm feeling rubbish I tell people I'm fine even though they can see I'm not.

My fibromyalgia has become my identity.

I used to be a fit and healthy man with a (moderately) successful business and I loved life.

Now I am a shell and everyone can see the change.

I crave a bit of invisibility.

YASMINTINA profile image
YASMINTINAFMA UK Volunteer

No not at all, invisible pain that others cannot see,that we try and cope with most days, xx

Al10 profile image
Al10

Hi Judyteen13

Gonna spout of some Voodoo nonsence here. Probly get a cup of tea put your feet up, have a snooze? Trying to send the love. Who knows what you will get?

Given your Fibro is a long term thing, your sparkly white cast will soon be getting mucky and, I don't know if you are anything at all like me, but a Mucky Gruby Cast what's gotta be worn for ever? Eek! and again if you are like me, you find labels on your clothes irritating enough. Imagine trying to get comfy, day and night with a blasted great cast!!! No don't you go campaigning for fibro casts, hey?

What I think you are kinda highlighting is a world view here. World is round and the flat earthers are having to stay home to make their paradigm fit. I think of the wonderful Leonard di Vinci wonderful mind way ahead of his time. A scientist in a religious world. Walking the tightrope of respecting what is known through religious text and what is yet to be known. Wasn't he kept under house arrect for suggesting earth was not quite as the bible said? I think he was. Had a loving and dutiful daughter to bring him food, and pencils probably.

Anyway, so the world finds it hard to see fibro even though you and me complain pretty loudly at times; Yes?

In the past, folks rowed their boats close to the shore to save falling off the earth.

Some folks like to imagine expeditions. Going to America? How to raise funds for that, when you would take said funds, boat provisions crew etc and lose them off the edge of the world. Waste of money and no glory!!

My feeling is we won't change many peoples mind. But maybe there will be one or two starting to wake up.

It is about not letting that bother your sensitive little self. (sensitive is nice)

Some people aren't sensitive like you. They don't help old ladies go anywhere nor reach for high items, others cant reach. Are they horrid people? Probably not. Are you perfect for helping? Meh! You are sensitive and see what need to be done to help. Likely you cry when kittens get drowned or when they just fall off your lap? Other people don't see the issue. Can you see what I'm saying? They dont see?

We are all diferent, and hoping others will change to make you more comfortable in the world, ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN? And it kinda piddles folks off when you say they should change? (Fact not judgement, OK?)

Be who you are. Be sensitive and helpful and kind, because that is who you are, and likely what the world was wanting when you came to be born. But for your comfort, maybe cultivate a little patience and understanding. Others were born different. Not bad. Just different. Try so see the good in how they are.

We don't need casts. I walk down the street, folks see I'm different. Some of them. The one's who will matter. They don't have a clue what that difference is but over time, they warm. They start to accept. Maybe they roll their eyes a little?

And that is what we have to do for ourselves too. Accept ourselves. All of us. Even the 'horrid' fibro bit.

We need to learn to care for ourselves. Physically Mentally emotionally and spiritally. And do it Properly Huh?

The fibro tells me you are a sensitive soul. Special. Now it has told us that, what will you make that mean for you?

Clue. The Fibro is a gift. It is all about you. It isn't about others. And defo not about getting a shiney white cast put on.

I just had an image of you Journaling. Drawing a big white shiny cast. And filling it in not with signatures, names but with virtues. Pictures words you know the stuff? All the wonderful things you are and are born to be. First virtue? Sensitive.

Oh and Lock your post? Don't want to be sharing my half baked wisdom with the world now do I?

ALKT profile image
ALKT

I read the beginning of your comment and it put a big smile on my face . the amazing things our brains ca imagine even from a small typo . wearing cats could be inconvenient for both patients with supposedly invisible illnesses and our feline friends .

2pods profile image
2pods

Me too :-)

Particularly as I can't stay awake these days, and as soon as I lay down a cat ( OK, not white but seal point ragdoll) materialises on my chest for the foreseeable.

MsJ1 profile image
MsJ1

Hello Judyteen13

I totally get you and it's so hard. Its took me a few years to 'accept' my Fibromyalgia and everything that comes with it, but I found that once I accepted that its here and that only I can look after myself, I felt better.

Just concentrate on you I'd say! it doesn't matter what others think. You know your pain, ability and needs work around d that. Try to let it go if people comment or dont understand, thier ignorance. What matters is you looking after you and it!

Take care and stay safe X

Jeep95 profile image
Jeep95

Love the 🐱 idea .

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